The short version
- According to El Nuevo Día, a letter urging the governor to veto the judicial reform bill citing constitutional concerns was signed by 102 law professors from Puerto Rico's top law schools.
- The San Juan Daily Star reported that the Popular Democratic Party Lawyers Organization urged Gov. Jenniffer González Colón to veto the measure arguing it undermines judicial independence
- OAP President Abner Otero Rosario told the Star the bill strips powers from the chief justice and that proposed amendments were ignored by lawmakers
- The legislation would repeal the 2003 Judiciary Act and set the size of the Supreme Court at 11 members according to the San Juan Daily Star
Calls to veto the bill
A letter urging Gov. Jenniffer González Colón to veto the judicial reform bill was signed by 102 professors from Puerto Rico's top law schools. El Nuevo Día reported that the professors consider the measure unconstitutional.
The Popular Democratic Party Lawyers Organization (OAP) is also urging the governor to veto Senate Bill 1096. OAP President Abner Otero Rosario said the bill "would undermine judicial independence and raise constitutional concerns." The San Juan Daily Star reported that the organization submitted a memorandum during the legislative process with proposed amendments that were ultimately ignored.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Turning Senate Bill 1096 into law would negatively impact judicial independence while raising constitutional objections.
The source's own statement, as quoted by The San Juan Daily Star. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Concerns over judicial structure
Otero stated that turning the bill into law would negatively impact judicial independence. He argued that "powers within the judicial branch cannot be accomplished" through ordinary legislation and would require a constitutional amendment ratified by the people. The OAP proposed amendments including removing language that reduces the authority of the chief justice, provisions for judges seeking reappointment, preserving municipal judges and specialized juvenile courts, and dedicated funding for new responsibilities.
The approved legislation would repeal the 2003 Judiciary Act and "establish a judicial structure consisting of" an 11-member Supreme Court, a Court of Appeals with 39 judges and a Court of First Instance with 338 superior court judges, according to the Star. The measure has drawn opposition from Supreme Court Chief Justice Maite Oronoz Rodríguez, Administrative Director of the Courts Sigfrido Steidel Figueroa and other groups.
Where the sources differ
The sources agree that multiple groups are urging Gov. Jenniffer González Colón to veto the judicial reform bill known as Senate Bill 1096. El Nuevo Día focuses on the letter signed by 102 law professors citing unconstitutionality. The San Juan Daily Star provides extensive detail on the Popular Democratic Party Lawyers Organization’s position, specific proposed amendments that were ignored, arguments about needing a constitutional amendment, and names additional opponents including the chief justice and court administrator. The Star also describes the bill’s proposed court sizes while El Nuevo Día does not.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has indicated she will veto the bill or sign it. They do not specify when the governor must act on the legislation, whether the Legislative Assembly could override a veto, or provide a timeline for when the bill was passed by the House and Senate. The sources also do not detail the exact constitutional provisions the opponents believe are violated.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Law professors call on Jenniffer González to veto the judicial reform bill
- Reporting PDP lawyers group urges governor to veto judicial reform bill
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día reported the letter from 102 law professors while The San Juan Daily Star covered the OAP’s call to veto, its president’s statements, the proposed amendments and the bill’s effect on court structure. The identity of additional opposing groups beyond those named rests on the Star’s reporting.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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